Forum Topic

More than 500 e-scooters seized in just one week

"More than 500 e-scooters seized in just one week as police launch crackdown"Is it a result of commercial interests???Seems very odd timing to me as the issue has been causing concern for months if not years.It would have been much better to issue regulations and give people the opportunity for owners to abide by them.Instead we have a private monopoly with exclusive license for a mode of transport. That didn't happen with e-bikes and there are many of those that appear illegal.Sensible regulation and consistent visible enforcement is surely not only the sensible solution but the green one?https://news.sky.com/story/more-than-500-e-scooters-seized-in-just-one-week-as-police-launch-crackdown-12341135

Ed Robinson ● 1682d14 Comments

Same here and it's something i've really paid a lot more attention to in the last few years. Along with just because its a green man, make sure you have a good look before stepping out!

Matt Palmer ● 1680d

I was always taught to look both ways

Andy Pike ● 1680d

The fact that they are so quiet was one of the points mentioned by Fleur Anderson.  Of course electric cars are too but there is talk about adding a noise - which in a way is a shame as traffic noise is not that pleasant. You must always look both ways when crossing because there are places where cycling is allowed against the traffic.  There are also two way cycle lanes.  I suppose it is look left, look right and keep on looking left and right and try not to trip over your feet/the pavement while doing it!  Then there is the reversing and reversing out of driveways on to main roads when the highway code says not to do that it you can help it. It has become more difficult with the increasing amount and speed of traffic.There is nothing to stop you asking for crossings!

Philippa Bond ● 1680d

Yes Barbara,I think even the hire ones are silent as are bicycles.There needs to be enforcement of the highway code and that needs visible Police.None of the main political parties are interested in promoting sensible visible policing. I could not even find a petition for it.Sadly poor policing is one of the reasons that London will miss out on maximising the benefits that new technologies offer.https://www.change.org/p/chris-grayling-mp-change-the-law-to-allow-electric-scooters-on-uk-pavments-and-roads

Ed Robinson ● 1681d

The E-Scooters wiz past a bit to quick for my liking. Also going the wrong way down side roads. How can parents teach their children to cross the road, when they don't know which way to look.

Barbara Stevens ● 1681d

Ed. I wouldn't claim to be a expert on policing but my IT/business experience is that when there's a lack of resource things tend to default to a reactive mode. I'm not saying that's good or I agree with it, just that I think it's why we've ended up in the current situation. I'd agree with you that we need new solutions like e-scooters to counter climate change and pollution. It's a bit like the easiest way of implementing information security is to just say no to new technologies rather than think creatively about how they can be used safely and give competitive advantage?I suspect there's some on this forum who might quite like to ban bicycles but they're obviously too well established for that! I think one problem with e-scooters is that because of their speed they're likely to cause more damage in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, particularly an elderly one? (Prepared to be corrected regarding that if someone has evidence to the contrary.) My guess (and it is just that) is that the government believes a trial of rental scooters is easier to control than privately owned ones - and if they decide not to go ahead it's companies rather than individuals who are bearing the financial risk of purchasing something that might end up being unusable?

Michael Ixer ● 1681d

Michael the police / resource issue is partly down to the reactive police model that the UK has adopted.There appears to be no enforcement of a number of laws - perhaps we should suspend cycling until such time that there are police resources?The law is clear, but it hasn't been widely enforced and therefore it has encouraged their use.If indeed what local and national government has told us is true, that there is a climate emergency, then we need to promote green transport and fast!Escooter hire and private obviously should be part of the green transport plan.We need regulation and inforcement not criminalisation!

Ed Robinson ● 1681d

I suspect the police do not have sufficient resources to monitor and enforce the law on e-scooters all the time but once in a while do a blitz. Like it or not the current law is that the use of private ones on the public highways is illegal and the sanctions are that  they may confiscate and points added to the transgressor's licence. Surely, that's quite clear?I'd agree that a more pragmatic approach to their ownership, use, regulation, etc should be taken but I suspect the illegal anti antisocial use by some may hinder that?I've personally no wish to use them but I can see that for others they're a useful and convenient mode of transport if used responsibly within appropriate regulations. Perhaps that can't happen until the police have sufficient resources to enforce the regulations at all times?

Michael Ixer ● 1681d

Well another phrase that springs to mind is better late than never. I’d also take the view it’s got people talking about it including you. Sometimes a purge is worth it to make an impact. I’m not so cynical as to suspect some sort of collusion with the commercial interests of the schemes being set up but perhaps the issue to be addressed is one of how the scooters can be sold freely. The borough led schemes preclude anyone with out a licence from access and also limits the area of use as well as speed. If people buy for personal use and use them illegally then it’s just tough if they get confiscated and a fine is issued. A fiend of a friend borrowed another friends scooter and was stopped. Result -  Scooter destroyed, a fine to pay and quite probably a cheesed off pal.

Freddie Francis ● 1681d

Freddie if you look at the numbers being reported (over 500 in a week when it was 700 for a year I believe) it would seem escooter enforcement has been given a kick up the priority list.Of course the correct thing would be to enforce the law consistently all the time but that is not the UK's current policing model.

Ed Robinson ● 1681d

Philippa, the BBC Travel show, escooters in Madrid covers the issues a bit better.Private escooters are of course legal in Spain so the hire companies do not have a monopoly.It should be noted that like bikes the hire ones do not come with helmets. Also obviously people may need to take some covid precautions such as wiping the handles.There are advantages and disadvantages to both private and hire. Looking at bikes it seems people are more likely not to wear a helmet when hiring bikes than riding their own, I suspect the same goes for scooters. Also people tend to be more careful where they put their own bikes when not being used. You rarely see a private bike discarded on the pavement unless it has been stolen.With hire of course you do not have to worry about it being stolen or charging it. No need to carry it in the office or around the shops.I just think people should have a choice and I'm instinctively against private monopolies.https://youtu.be/e8p2nyM2clA

Ed Robinson ● 1681d

The police. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

Freddie Francis ● 1681d

Fleur Anderson was on Politics London on BBCTV this morning and this was one of the subjects that was pretty comprehensively covered.https://twitter.com/BBCLondonNews

Philippa Bond ● 1682d

I wholeheartedly agree with you Ed.It is difficult to understand why the owners of e-scooters could not have similar regulations to the ones applicable to the rental ones.  A private monopoly it certainly is!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1682d